Valley pan? Is it serious ?

[TiAgX5]

Invest in the Bentley and torque wrenches.

Approach EVERY repair knowing proper TQ specs of ALL fasteners. Frustration level and costs both go way up without that.

[StephenVA]

Repairing all the Power Steering (P/S) leaks is one of the best DIY you can start with. The rubber hoses are most likely the source of the fluid, as the rubber hoses harden over time/temp/UV exposure and no longer seal at the clamped end.

Listed below are all the part numbers for a 2001 4.4 V8 P/S system. All you need is a pair of pliers, the CORRECT P/S fluid, one or two hand tools to tighten up a banjo fitting- see Part #1 (and a new metal washer #4), and a few tools to tighten the clamps...SIMPLE DIY.

There are many sources for the parts BESIDES the Dealer Parts Dept. Check out a few of the sponsors list on this site and see the hundreds of "Where do I buy Parts" postings...

Part Desc QTY $$$

01 32416769675 SUCTION HOSE (to 07/02) 1 $173.07
02 32111131345 HOSE CLAMP - D=20,9-24,1 (to 07/02) 1 $1.35
03 32411117183 HOLLOW BOLT - M18X32 (to 07/02) 1 $10.12
04 32411093598 GASKET RING - A18X24-CUSN (to 07/02) 2 $1.42
05 32416759773 PRESSURE HOSE ASSY (to 07/02) 1 $290.95
06 32416783886 HOLLOW BOLT - M14X1,5X26 (to 07/02) 2 $4.77

06 32416852469 HOLLOW BOLT - M14X1,5X26 (to 07/02) 2 $5.97
07 32411093596 GASKET RING - A14X20-CUSN (to 07/02) 4 $1.15
08 32416778960 VIBRATION DAMPER - H=25 (to 07/02) 2 $25.90
09 07119905949 SELF-LOCKING HEX NUT - M6-8-ZNNIV SI (to 07/02) 2 $0.50
10 61131354311 CLAMP - D=13/6,4 (to 07/02) 1 NA

10 12427840405 CLAMP - D=13/6,4 (to 07/02) 1 $4.63
11 32416767137 RETURN PIPE (to 07/02) 1 $119.67
12 32411117182 HOLLOW BOLT - M16X28 (to 07/02) 1 NA

12 32411094909 HOLLOW BOLT - M16X28 (to 07/02) 1 NA

12 32416783887 HOLLOW BOLT - M16X28 (to 07/02) 1 $5.05

12 32416852470 HOLLOW BOLT - M16X28 (to 07/02) 1 $5.10
13 32411093597 GASKET RING - A16X22-CUSN (to 07/02) 2 $1.35
14 32416767138 RADIATOR RETURN LINE (to 07/02) 1 $52.13
15 16121180242 HOSE CLAMP - D=16,6-20MM (to 07/02) 1 $2.05
16 11721134746 HOSE CLAMP (to 07/02) 1 $2.68
18 17111439109 COOLING COIL (to 07/02) 1 $173.38

[TiAgX5]

I got lucky fixing my PS leak, hose #1 (01 32416769675 SUCTION HOSE (to 07/02) 1 $173.07) was leaking at the res connection. The crappy crush clamps BMW uses do not apply uniform pressure around the diameter of the hose (the raised crush area is prone to leak).

A $175 hose secured with a little ring of mush??? BMW bean counters strike again, cheapest way to secure hose, quickest install on assembly line!

I removed crap clamp, cut 3/4" off the hose, and installed with an aircraft grade clamp, leak gone.

[CarlosT95]

Awesome yeah I'm going to do that cause I'm leaking power steering like a son of a gun, I'll get the shop to do valley pan and I'll do the rest thanks for all the input guys!

[TiAgX5]

Just be aware the P/S res is plastic. The aircraft grade clamp only needs to be snug, too tight and the plastic nipple will break!

[Doru]

Originally Posted by CarlosT95

Oh wow didn't see the second page of replies I took it to bushmaster ltd in calgary and they quoted me over 6k for repairs called another place Vitek and they said they can do it for 1300 which is great, guys there are really nice helped me out a lot really clean shop. Should've taken it there since day 1. I'm going to do it the DIY route for the rest of the stuff. I gotta learn one way or the other! Have some more suspension parts to do anyways which is pretty straightforward. Yeah these x5s are getting cheaper and cheaper to own.

Carlos, if you don't know how to DIY, don't have time or a garage, the best alternative is to contact Vitek. Here's his webpage. he was a master tech at the BMW Gallery in NW and knows his stuff really well. together with Aaron. Their prices are lower than BMW's and the repairs are outstanding.

[bcredliner]

IMO the cost of ownership of a used vehicle is largely governed by where you are in the cycle of major stuff, a good PPI and vehicle history. Any level of expense to keep an E53 going is a guess.